Walker Karen Elizabeth

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY302618 Inspection date 14 July 2005 Inspector Angela Cole

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and son aged 4 years in the residential area of Wymans Brook on the outskirts of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. The whole of the childminder’s house is available for childminding, including a conservatory set up as a playroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play with a patio, decking and a covered area with a sandpit. The family has indoor fish as pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time and is currently minding 3 children under 5 years part-time. She walks to a local

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 pre-school to take and collect children. There are shops, a playing field, an early years centre and a primary school within walking distance. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and of the local childminding group.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have effective opportunities to go outside to enjoy physical activities and fresh air. They have ample space to move freely between the indoor and outdoor play areas. The decking offers a good surface for them to develop large muscle skills using a wide range of large and small physical equipment. For example, children eagerly play in a large ball pool, cooperate with each other using a parachute and learn to pedal bicycles with stabilizers. Children enjoy daily outings to the local pre-school and local shops, for example, to buy food for their lunch or a picnic. The children drink ample amounts of dilute squash or milk, particularly in hot weather. The childminder is fully aware of their dietary needs. She regularly involves children in the preparation of their meals to enhance their interest in nutritious food. They enjoy healthy snacks that usually comprise of a variety of fruits.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is conscientious about cleanliness so children are protected from the spread of infection. They regularly help to wash their toys. Baby equipment is regularly sterilised so it is scrupulously clean. Children learn the importance of hygiene as they brush their teeth after lunch and use their own towels following frequent handwashing. Children receive good care if they require medication and sound systems are in place if they have an accident.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe with the childminder as she implements detailed, written risk assessments of the home environment to reduce hazards to a minimum. The premises are secure and children arrive and leave safely. The childminder has a clear evacuation plan to keep children safe in the event of an emergency, though only one smoke alarm serves the two-storey premises. From a young age, children learn to keep themselves safe. For example, they know when they must not be in the kitchen and to tidy toys away to prevent trips. Children play with high quality equipment that is entirely suitable for their age and stage of development. The childminder supervises them closely at all times, including their play in the pool with balls. She uses a monitor to check that sleeping children are safe. On outings, children effectively develop their understanding of safety-first by walking on the inside of the pavement and operating controlled crossings. On a visit to the

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 swimming pool with the parents’ permission, the childminder ensures a child’s safety through one-to-one care. She is booked to update her first aid certificate and previously attended child protection training. She is appropriately aware of how to put the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures into practice.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children enjoy their varied days with the childminder. There is a good, informal focus on learning through indoor and outdoor play. Children eagerly explore a wide range of activities that help them make good progress in all areas of their development. In continuous conversation with the childminder, they listen carefully and develop very good language skills. They talk about what they are doing and clearly express their needs and feelings. Children develop good pre-reading skills as they choose matching picture games and often look at books and other printed play materials. Children use good mathematical thinking in their play. For example, they learn about space and position to balance cardboard boxes, recognise a straight line on a jigsaw and find a piece on the rug ‘edge’. They effectively extend their understanding of numbers to count vegetables into a pan and to recognise figures on their tablemats.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make good sense of the world about them. They enthusiastically investigate how to operate electronic toys and experience different weathers, including sun and snow. The childminder provides an extensive range of art and craft materials so children enjoy imagining and creating. They make tents, play with many small-world toys and role play in the permanent home corner. Paint, glue and collage materials are always available and even young children combine these, for example, to make painted models. Children ask for favourite music tapes and then respond freely to sing and dance .

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children settle easily in the homely and stimulating environment. They relate very well to the childminder and confidently approach her with toys and requests. They learn to socialise through meeting other childminders and their children, and on outings into the local community. The children benefit as the childminder takes good account of their individual needs. They confidently access the appropriate toys and equipment arranged around the play areas and in clearly labelled storage at their level. Resources effectively reflect positive images of culture and disability. Both boys and girls play with a wide range of equipment, such as dressing up clothes and toy vehicles. The childminder appropriately fosters children’s development through her sensitive approach to the management of behaviour. Children learn to behave through

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 distraction and time to calm down. They follow a small number of clear rules and receive sincere praise when they try hard and behave well. The childminder works closely with parents and carers to meet the individual needs of all children. She gives them clear information on her policies and the range of activities available. Each day, the parents and childminder talk about the children’s requirements and activities. This ensures children benefit from consistent care that is fully in accordance with the parents’ wishes.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is highly qualified and experienced in childcare. The attractive premises provide varied, open areas of indoor and outdoor space. The childminder arranges the different play areas effectively so children choose their own toys and activities. Only small numbers of children are with the childminder at any one time so they have good adult attention and support. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The childminding records are neatly organised and regularly updated so children’s details are to hand and kept confidential. For example, the register clearly shows the actual hours that children attend. The childminder shares an informative folder with new parents that contains her written policies and photographs of activities the children enjoy. This increases the families' confidence in the childminder and benefits the children through the good relationships formed. The parents and childminder

p.5

Organisation

share notes in a diary to further enhance their communication. This also enables each family to keep a fascinating record of their child’s time with the childminder.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure smoke alarms are provided on both levels of the premises and that they are maintained in working order.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.6